I voted! 💪🏻

 Yesterday, I was coming home, and I drove past our village hall building and I saw the lights on & a car in the parking lot. I pulled in and asked if it was possible to early vote, but our town clerk said he was only there to test the machines. I said thank you and turned to leav and he called after me "tomorrow from 11:30-1".

So,  today,  10/29/2024, I voted for:

The Constitution 

Democracy

Leadership

Opportunity

Decency

Honesty

Women's health

Puerto Rico

Joy

The promise of America

My family and their families 

✨️✨️✨️

I voted against:

Hate

Ignorance

Bigotry

Trump

Fabric Patch Virtual Quilt Camp

 I think this was my third virtual retreat for sewing and quilting. The Fabric Patch that puts together this retreat always teaches a skill. I like this idea as I have experienced some techniques that I wouldn't otherwise take on.  We log on to zoom on Friday morning at about 9:00 and the final zoom session is at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon. The classes are normally two a day and the rest of the time is open sewing with breakout rooms so that you can visit with friends or not or go sit in your recliner or take a nap. It's very loose and it's another feature of this retreat that I really do like. 

This time the technique that they were teaching us was applique. I have done some applique but I didn't really know what I was doing. They wanted us to experience the hand sewing type of applique, which a lot of people do entire quilts of, but I thought it was ludicrous to be sitting in front of me $3,000 sewing machine with a needle and thread in my hand. But I did a little of it so I could check the box. The rest of the applique I fused on and then sewed around the edges with the sewing machine. 

The project was four fall motif panels which then will be sewn together with sashing in a border to make a very charming fall wall hanging. So below are my photos from the retreat.

I'm sitting in front of a $3k seeing machine, using a needle and thread.  Go figure.

Quilt Camp Wrap Up

 Some years ago, SIL Lois gave me this little journal. 

I use it to record my sewing projects, when I made the items, where I got the fabric and who I gave the finished project to.

It's a little gem. I also write down the names of the other quilters that I meet at camp.  I'm not the best at remembering names, so this helps. 

💙 💙 💙

Another tidbit from camp. We mostly 'park our politics at the door' unless we are alone with a like-mind.  Friend Sandy and I were talking, and in the course I mentioned that I was doing social media for the Barron County Dems. Our conversation ended and I went back to sewing. One of the quilters from another table came over and said, "I wasn't trying to listen in on your conversation, but I heard you say that you are doing social media posts for the Barron County Dems. I follow that page and I want to thank you for all you are doing for the election.  You are putting yourself out there and I really am thankful for what you are doing.". Well, t caught me by surprise and I instantly had tears in my eyes.  She told me her name and we talked a little about our concerns. 

It really hit me emotionally. I spend a fair amount of time posting on FB & Threads for the Dems, this sincere Thankyou really means allot. 

You never know who can use a lift, sharing a kind word can be all the difference.

💙

Fall Quilt Camp 2024

 I arrived in Solo Springs on Sunday afternoon to set up my sewing machine and drop off supplies.  I had stopped at The Sandcastle first to put new batteries in the trail cam.   I started planning my projects, ate dinner with the group, and then headed for home to sleep. 

Monday morning, I loaded up the rest of my gear and my suitcase & headed North to the Inn.

Located on the shores of Lake St. Croix

By 9:30am, I was cutting fabric.

My project list started with 2 wedding gifts for great nieces. I had a quilt-as-you-go kit, to make runners. I used batik fabrics. 

I'm happy with how these 2 turned out. 

The sewing machine repair lady came to clean machines, so my Husqvarna got a good vacuum and inspection.

Tuesday morning, the view from my room was breath taking. 

Sea smoke rising as the sun is breaking through. Wowser.

Next on my list was to finish a project I started in the Spring Virtual Quilt Camp.  I had to add a backing, quilting and a binding. 

I'm not positive where this will be used but at least it is now finished. 

Tuesday afternoon, the masseuse came to give back massages. I loved it so much. I wish she had her business closer to me.

Wednesday morning was another beauty. 

Wednesday was get-away-day.  I decided to finish up a group of runners that I had pieced at home. 

I'm not sure where these will end up, but one of them will be mine.

I left for home at about 4:30pm. It was another great camp.  

The leaves were pretty, and it was great to spend time with old and new friends. 

Northern Lights

 Wow, whatta night for Northern Lights.

To the naked eye it looks like wisps of light clouds sliding around the sky.  The camera sees colors. 

Amazing.